September 23, Friday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on September 30, 2016, is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei.  He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Stay up to date with the church plant by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Crown of Thorns”

John 19:1-3

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.

In the ancient Roman military, crowns were a symbol of honor. There were various crowns, symbolizing various feats and achievements of valor. Crowns were always given by someone of a higher-ranking office, to a lower-ranking one. For example, the Caesar might bestow a crown upon one of the generals in his army. Or a commander might place a crown on one of his subservient soldiers. However, there was one scenario when common soldiers would place a crown atop a higher-ranking officer. When the actions of a commander/general had saved an entire army, a “grass crown” was twisted together and presented to him by the very army he had saved. It was considered the highest honor in the Roman military.

How ironically fitting that a crown of thorns was placed on the head of Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, by the very ones He had come to save! When we look upon the suffering of Jesus, beneath the mockery and humiliation, we can see the beauty of the Gospel. The good news that our God is the kind of God who would endure such shame, if it meant that his beloved people might be saved.

Take some time today to meditate on the sacrifice of Jesus, who endured the cross to save the very ones who crucified Him. There is truly no one like our God!

Prayer: Lord, we are amazed at your love for us. Thank you for being the kind of God that you are. Thank you for suffering, and ultimately dying on a cross, to rescue us. We honor you and worship you today. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 5

Lunch Break Study 

Read Hebrews 12:3-8: Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

Questions to Consider

  1. In this passage, how does the author of Hebrews reframe our struggle with sin?
  2. How can we have the strength to endure trials and temptation?
  3. According to the author of Hebrews what would a life without discipline indicate?

Notes

  1. The author of Hebrews describes our struggle with sin as God’s discipline over His children. From context we can infer that the “struggle” that these early Christians were going through was related to persecution for their faith. But the author also mentions holiness and sexual immorality in the following verses. Whether it is a struggle to stand up in our faith, or it is a struggle to pursue holiness, we are encouraged to see our struggle as God’s work in disciplining us, because we are his beloved children.
  2. The author encourages us to “Consider [Jesus] who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” He endured sin, and ultimately defeated it, so that we would not grow weary or fainthearted! When we remember that Jesus has conquered the power of sin, we find strength to continue fighting.
  3. A life without discipline. A life without struggle. An easy, comfortable, smooth-sailing life… according to the author of Hebrews, indicates that we are illegitimate children, and not true children of God. Because God disciplines those He loves.

Evening Reflection  

Jesus is our sympathetic high priest (Heb 4:15). That means that whatever hardships we are going through, even when we feel like no one else quite understands… Jesus understands. May you find peace in that truth tonight.

September 22, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 18, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Following Jesus with a Wrong Motive”

Lk. 19:12, 14, 27 (NIV)

He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. . . . [14] But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king’. . . . [26] He replied,. . . ‘But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me’”

Lk. 20:9-16 (NIV)

He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. [10] At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. [11] He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. [12] He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. [13] “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ [14] “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ [15] So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? [16] He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” 

Israel’s Davidic monarchy was broken when Babylonia destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in 586 B.C., and exiled its king (1 Chron. 36).   When a remnant returned some 70 years later, their hope of restoring the Davidic monarchy never materialized.  But they never gave up hope, especially because Israel continued to suffer the indignity of being conquered by foreign invaders for the next 400 years; at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, Israel had been under the Roman’s control for 100 years.  

Now, when Christ came and did amazing miracles, like feeding thousands of people with just five loaves and two fish, the Israelites said, “‘Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world’. . . . [Then] they intended to . . . make him king” (Jn. 6:14-5).  This means that the subjects themselves wanted the nobleman to be their king; the tenants initially welcomed the heir of the owner.  

Then, what went wrong?  It was a case of an unfulfilled expectation.  After Jesus had been crucified, a disillusioned Israelite said, “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (Lk. 24:21), meaning to defeat the Romans and then restore the world order with Israel on top (Is. 14:2).  But, instead of plotting to defeat the enemy, they heard Jesus talk about “Bread from heaven.”  “At this the Jews began to grumble” (Jn. 6:41), became offended (61), and finally, “many . . . turned back and no longer followed him” (66), presumably to look for another king who will do their bidding.  That’s how the subjects ended up rejecting their king; and the tenants, the son. 

Do you expect Christ to do for you what you want?  If so, you will be disappointed.  Instead, align your life to God’s plan; that’s the secret to happiness in life as well.  What are you struggling with at the moment?  Submit to Christ’s lordship today.    

Prayer: Hear my prayer, O LORD; do not let me disappointed or disillusioned by my false expectation of You.   Help me to set my eyes on You and your plan for me; remind me that true satisfaction in life is found in You and You only.  You are my King and I shall submit my will to yours.  I love You!  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Lk. 20:19 (NIV) which identifies to whom the Parable of the Tenants was initially given:

“The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.”

Matt. 9:33-4, 27:18 (ESV): “And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, ‘Never was anything like this seen in Israel.’ [34] Bt the Pharisees said, ‘He casts out demons by the prince of demons’ . . . . For [Pilate] knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.”

Jn. 3:26-7, 30 (NASB):  “And they came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him’ . . . . [27] John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. . . . [30] ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’”

Question to Consider

1. Why did the Pharisees end up disliking Jesus so much?  How did they handle this situation?  

2. In what sense did John the Baptist face a similar situation which the Pharisees faced?

3. What can we learn from John’s handling of the situation?  How do you plan to handle your envy? 

Notes

1. The Pharisees envied Jesus because people were more impressed by Jesus and his ministry than their ministry.  Once, “the Pharisees said to one another, ‘See this is getting nowhere.  Look how the whole world has gone after him!’” (Jn. 12:19).  So, they resorted to publicly defaming him and ultimately to kill him. 

2. Before Jesus, people went to John to hear his preaching and to be baptized by him.  But after Jesus came on the scene, everyone began to go to him rather than John. 

3. John knew and accepted the purpose of his life and ministry; he knew he wasn’t the main attraction but just the opening act.  So, John didn’t fret over losing out to Christ because he saw that Jesus’ ministry was more important than his.  He was content, knowing that his job was completed.

Evening Reflection

How is your relationship with the Lord?  Have you been disappointed because God didn’t seem to come through for you?  Reflect on your expectation from the Lord:  Is it from God or your own heart?  Speak to Him in silence; meditate on this: “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39).

September 21, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on September 7, 2016, is provided by Pastor Mark Chun who is the Lead Pastor of Radiance Christian Church in S. F.  He is  a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS, biology), and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Light Is Brighter Than the Star of Earandil”

John 12:20-36 (ESV)

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”

We often don’t look for light until it is completely dark.  In the book The Fellowship of the Rings, there is a powerful scene where the Queen of the Elves gives Frodo the power of the stars.  As he is entering the greatest challenge of his life, she gives him the star of Earandil, the most beloved star of her people, and says to him, “May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.”  JRR Tolkien, who was a devout Catholic, understood the significance of light in dark places, but more importantly, he understood the significance of the one true light when all other lights grow dim.  

When Jesus refers to Himself as the “Light,” it has a narrow range of meaning.  He isn’t simply saying, “I am the source of enlightenment that will guide you through life, like Buddha or a New Age guru.”  He is literally saying, “I am the shekinah glory of God.”  The shekinah glory is the dwelling of God’s presence in a specific location that makes it perceivable to the human senses.  During the Feast of Tabernacles—  which lasted eight days— each night as the people gathered, the priest would light these massive candelabras for two reasons: first, as a remembrance of how God’s glory led them through the darkness, and second, as an expression of longing that the visible presence of God would fill the temple again.  Just imagine Jesus standing up in the middle of that ceremony, as the priests began to light the candelabra, and proclaiming, “I am the light of the world!”  Jesus is actually saying, “I am the light that all your ceremonies are pointing to, the light that led your forefathers through the desert, the light of God’s glory come to fill this temple, and I am the light come to rescue a world in darkness!”

I think it bears repeating the quote by C.S. Lewis: “A man who was merely a man and said the things Jesus said cannot be a good moral teacher.  Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman.”  We have to understand that Jesus left very little room for misunderstanding—everyone knew exactly what He was saying. It’s just that no one knew how to react to these claims.  There were some who believed, many who rejected, and then there were many more who thought they believed but weren’t quite sure.  Each day, Jesus issues this challenge for us: to believe in the Light with such faith that we would be transformed into the very sons of Light.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to believe that You are the very light of life.   I pray that You would reveal every hidden sin that remains in darkness so that I might be changed from glory to glory.   As you transform me, may I become like more and more like You and shine your light in this dark world.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  1 Chronicles 3

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 John 1:5-10 (ESV): This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

Questions to Consider

  1. What does it mean for God to be the light?
  2. What does it mean for us to “walk in the light” as opposed to “walk in darkness”?
  3. Why is walking in the light so important for fellowship with one another?  

Notes

  1. Although some biblical scholars think that this is a reference to the ethical or moral purity of God, based on John’s use of the metaphor of light in the Gospel, it is better to understand this as a reference to God as the source of life.  Since light is what leads to life, God is at the very center of our existence.  
  2. If you take this analogy further, “walking in the light” means to walk in the fullness of life, while “walking in darkness” means denying the source of life, the incarnate Son of God.  In his letter, John is addressing the problem of those who have walked away from the faith by rejecting Christ.  Walking in darkness is a life without Christ.  
  3. Those who deny Christ clearly have no fellowship with God, nor can they have true fellowship with other Christians.  Belief in God in the general sense can never substitute for belief in God through Jesus Christ.  

Evening Reflection

How have you walked in the fullness of life today?  Were you able to experience God’s love today and share it with others?  Has God been present in all your thoughts and deeds?  Write down what it means for you to live life in all of its abundance.  

September 20, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on August 31, 2015

Devotional Thought for this Morning

“Our Parents—A Mixed Bag!”

2 King 14:1-7

In the second year of Joash the son of Joahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem. 3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not like David his father. He did in all things as Joash his father had done. 4 But the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. 5 And as soon as the royal power was firmly in his hand, he struck down his servants who had struck down the king his father. 6 But he did not put to death the children of the murderers, according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the Lord commanded, “Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. But each one shall die for his own sin.”

Looking back at my late father, he was a lot better man than what I thought as an immature teenager; but sometimes, I harbored resentment because of his temper.  Perhaps due to his long military career, he was impatient with those whose action or speech was objectionable to him.  Sadly and deservedly, I got the brunt end of this because of many dumb things I did.  And I remember murmuring to myself more than once, “I will not be like him.”  That is why 2 Kings 14:3 caught by attention: “[Amaziah] did in all things as Joash his father had done.”  I regretfully admit that I’ve been temperamental with my family one too many times.  So, have I done as my father had done?

Most kings of Israel, such as Ahab and Manasseh, were bad apples; but  other kings, like Asa and Uzziah, were a mixed bag—they began well but ended quite badly.  This would include Joash who was faithful to God—even repairing the temple—as long as Jehoiada, his mentor, was alive; but after his death Joash turned so wicked that he murdered Jehoiada’s son for speaking out against him (2 Chron. 24:21).  Joash would suffer the same fate.  Amaziah, who had a front row view to all this, certainly was influenced by his father.  As was Joash, Amaziah was a mixed bag of some good and bad, even mirroring his father in his own tragic death (v. 19).  

So how much did Joash influence Amaziah?  I think this is where our probe should stop, because parents get too much credit when kids turn out “well” but get buried when they don’t.  

Certainly, my father affected me, and maybe, we share predispositional traits that make us more susceptible to being temperamental.  Nevertheless, I, as a believer in whom dwell God’s word and the Spirit, and surrounded by a supportive community, can always choose not to give into my weakness.  

The fact is, most parents are a mix-bag—we do our best but it really isn’t good enough to guarantee anything.  So we fall on our knees and cry for mercy for our children.  Then we get up and “follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).  When we fail, we ask for forgiveness and try again!

Prayer: Lord, let my children follow only my good examples, and reject the bad ones.  May they follow the examples of Christ.  Oh God, may my children surpass me in every aspect, particularly their love and devotion to You.  Thank You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 2

Lunch Break Study 

Read Ezekiel 18:14-20: Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees, and does not do likewise: 15 he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife, 16 does not oppress anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, 17 withholds his hand from iniquity, takes no interest or profit, obeys my rules, and walks in my statutes; he shall not die for his father’s iniquity; he shall surely live. 18 As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity. 19 “Yet you say, ‘Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. 20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

2 Cor. 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Rom. 12:2: Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Question to Consider

1. What does this passage assume about the influence of fathers over their sons?

2. Breaking away from a bad influence is never easy; we often end up making the same mistakes that we saw growing up.  How can we break away from this?

3. In what sense can this be an encouragement to discouraged parents who have made their share of mistakes while raising children?

Notes

1. In short, the parental influence is not deterministic; that is, just because parents were ungodly and unrighteous doesn’t mean that their offspring has no choice but to mirror their parents.  

2. Of course, negative influence is everywhere, including the home, but God-given free will under the empowerment of the Spirit that regenerates and transform us in Christ can overcome it.  This doesn’t mean that we will bat 1.000, but it does mean that we can have a fruitful and meaningful existence here on earth.

3. Many parents live with guilt and many regrets.  But our children are one-turning-to-God away from becoming a righteous, kind and just son or daughter as described by Ezekiel.  It is never too late.  Once we become Christians, parent should set better examples, admit our fault when in the wrong to our children, then pray without ceasing for them. 

Evening Reflection

Even if you are not a parent, we all have parents.  And others are parents, perhaps for a long time.  What is one thing you can do for your parents that will help them to know God better?  What is one thing you can do for your child that can help him or her to love God.  Do it tomorrow.  For now, pray for strength to carry that out in love.

September 19, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on September 20, 2016.  A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the Lead Pastor of the UC site of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“I Am Leaving and You Will Thank Me Later” 

John 16:5-7

But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

One may become quite dismayed by these verses.  Jesus, who had been leading His disciples for a few years at this point, tells them that it is to their advantage that He leaves. Whaaaat? To their advantage? That may seem like LeBron James saying to the Cavs that it’s to their advantage that he leave (“You will thank me later”), yet what would the Cavs be without him? And what would the disciples be without Jesus? How could Jesus say that it’s to their advantage that He leaves? Many of us may think, if only Jesus were still around, living this life of faith would be so easy. 

But what does Jesus say? He says, “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.” The Helper, the Holy Spirit, was the promise of Christ to His disciples, and more than that, the Spirit was the promise of God to all His people from long ago. Joel 2:28 says, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.” And in order for this promise to be fulfilled, Jesus needs to die and be resurrected. Only then can the Spirit be poured out on all flesh.

Above, I posed this question, “What would the disciples be without Jesus?” And thanks to the book of Acts, we have an answer to that. While the Cavs likely would not be a championship team without LeBron, the disciples became a transformed people after Jesus left. When the Spirit came upon them, they suddenly became mouthpieces for the Kingdom, bringing the good news of Jesus from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. And just like the disciples, the Spirit falls on us when we believe in Jesus. So the next time you say to yourself, “If only Jesus were still around, life would be much easier,” remind yourself that you have the Spirit of Christ living inside of you, and this Spirit will enable you to do the “greater works” that Jesus promised in John 14:12. 

Prayer: Lord, fill me again with Your Spirit. Sometimes I forget that Your Spirit is within me, but remind me again that You live in me; and if you live in me, Your strength will always be with me. Thank You for Your Spirit; help me to live in the power of the Spirit each moment.

Bible Reading for Today:1 Chronicles 1

Lunch Break Study  

Read Joel 2:28-30a:  And it shall come to pass afterward,

   that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

    your old men shall dream dreams,

    and your young men shall see visions.

Even on the male and female servants

    in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Questions to Consider

  1. Who is the promise of the Holy Spirit for?
  2. How does receiving the Spirit affect our lives?
  3. How do we receive the Spirit in our lives?

Notes

  1. All flesh, meaning all people! The passage calls out sons and daughters, old and young men, male and female servants to emphasize that this promise is really for everyone – not just the Spiritual elite, the ones in power, or the ones who seem to be the most well-to-do. No, the promise of the Spirit is for all people who believe.
  2. With the Spirit, we receive the power of God in our lives. Never before Pentecost had the people of God received the Spirit in such an enduring way. Previously, the Spirit was temporary, coming upon God’s people at specific times. But now, through Jesus, the Spirit is always with us so that we may prophesy, dream dreams, see visions, and ultimately live in the power of God.
  3. The passage tells us that when we call upon the name of the Lord, we shall be saved. And more than that, when we are saved, we receive the Spirit. So call upon God and He will listen! Cry out for His Spirit because He delights to pour His Spirit upon us!

Evening Reflection

Ask again for God to fill you with His Spirit. Though we know the Spirit is always with us, the filling of the Spirit is something we need day after day. So ask again for more of the Spirit so that tomorrow you may continue to live in His power.

September 18, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Jabez Yeo, now a friend of AMI, was first posted on January 25, 2015.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Why We Praise Others”

Jn. 4:27-8; 39-42

“Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?’ They came out of the town and made their way toward Him. . . . Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’ So when the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Him to stay with them and He stayed two days. And because of His words many more became believers. They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.’” 

One movie released in 2014 that I enjoyed enough to watch more than once was Interstellar:  I loved the breathtaking setting of space; the suspenseful narrative which showcased the best and worst of humanity; the deeply moving Hans Zimmer soundtrack, etc. So when a discussion among friends or co-workers about good movies to watch would come up, I would (and still do) enthusiastically recommend Interstellar. Seeing it for the second time with my sisters, and watching them get engrossed in it, made me enjoy the movie even more than before.

Perhaps you are not a movie fan or have a different opinion about Interstellar: The point is that whatever activity you enjoy or person you admire, you will naturally praise it to others—meaning to express admiration or approval.  And praise is so reflexive that we don’t even think about it. Whether it is great food from a restaurant, a person’s lifelong accomplishments, or a highlight from one of our favorite athletes, all of these can be sources of praise. Whatever or whoever is the object of your praise, it will most likely make its way into your conversations or perhaps into your statuses and tweets.   

The Samaritan woman has often been described as one of Jesus’ first evangelists. After meeting Jesus, she enthusiastically praised Him and shared about His impact in her life with others; and as a result, many became believers. As people who have encountered Jesus in our lives, we, too, should praise Him and share about His life-changing effect with others. No doubt we may face barriers, but keep in mind that the Samaritan woman had her own obstacles as well. Her inferior status as a woman in Middle Eastern society and her reputation as an adulterer did not prevent her from sharing about Jesus in wise ways (i.e. using a rhetorical question instead of the declaration, “He is the Messiah,” which others might have scoffed at or ignored). 

But before we begin to praise Jesus with others, we have to ask ourselves, have we encountered Him recently? Have we remembered His goodness during our times of prayer or reading of His Word? Methods and strategies may be good for evangelism, but what’s even more important is a heart alive from meeting with Christ. Let’s reach out our hands and ask Him to meet us where we are this Sunday  so that we will naturally declare as David did: “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done” (Psalm 9:1).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to share about You with others, but I know that I cannot because of my own limited strength and hesitancy. Help me to encounter You today so that “I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done.” May my praise to You overflow from my lips unto the hearts of many this day and in the future. In Your name, I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 25

September 17, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 17, 2015.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“What Ultimately Kills our Faith”

Mk. 4:18-20 (ESV)

“And others are the ones sown among thorns.  They are those who hear the word, [19] but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”

It had been nearly 70 years since many Israelites (including Daniel and Ezekiel) were forcibly taken to Babylonia as exiles, but unexpectedly their life there was comfortable as Jeremiah had prophesized: “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I carried you into exile” (Jer. 29:7).   But one day, God moved their heart (Ez. 1:5) through Cyrus, the king of Persia, who said to the Jews, “Anyone of his people . . . let him go up to Jerusalem . . . and build the temple of the LORD” (1:3). 

Whereas all the Jews in Egypt who suffered as slaves left for the Promised Land, only a minority of the Jews (42,000) of Persia left for Jerusalem.  It was understandable since the Jews had settled comfortably in Persia and moving to Jerusalem, which was still lying in ruins, didn’t appear attractive.   In addition, the dangerous trip would last four months (7:9).  Instead, those who stayed just contributed funds (1:6); those who left contributed funds as well—1,100 pounds of gold, which would be equivalent of about $20 million (2:69).

Upon arrival, they worked feverishly to lay the foundation of the temple, and when this phase was finished, some “wept aloud” while “others shouted for joy” (3:12).  Unfortunately, their enemies, who opposed the temple project from the outset, managed to halt the work after convincing the new Persian emperor that the reconstructed temple wouldn’t be in Persia’s best interest (4:1-24). 

But around the time the work had ceased for 16 years, God sent Haggai to remind the exiles about why they had left Persia in the first place.  Their response was so underwhelming that God said, “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come for the LORD’s house to be built. . . .’ Is it a time for you and yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin” (Hag. 1:2-3)?  These once-committed people had become callous, and instead of admitting their unwillingness to rebuild the temple, they flippantly said that it wasn’t the right time.  Meanwhile, they busied themselves by building a mansion (paneled house) for their own home. 

What happened?  Like weeds that sap nutrients that the plant needs to grow, “the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things choke[d] the word” (NASB), making them unfruitful.   This happened to the best of the committed; so, watch out!  Try to live as close to the apostle Paul’s philosophy of life: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Tim. 6:6-8 NIV).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You that I can truly be content in You.  But, whenever I wonder off in pursuit of cheap substitutes, gently remind me that in You I have all that I will ever need in this life.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 23-24

September 16, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on September 16, 2016.  Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Why Do We Say at the End of our Prayer, ‘If It Is Your Will?’”

John 15:7-8: 

 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

Mark 10:51-52

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.  The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, ‘Your faith has healed you.”  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Many of us know all too well from our everyday experience that God does not always just grant us what we wish.  When we petition God, there is a condition to Him answering our prayers with a “yes”: that our hearts are aligned with His will (v. 7).

But what is God’s will?  When we ask for healing, we tag on, “if it is your will,” not always as an expression of humble submission but sometimes as one of just plain uncertainty.  Because we’ve experienced God’s “no’s,” we’ve become not really sure what we are asking is His will after all, and our prayers lack boldness and confidence.

Yet this lack of confidence is the exact opposite of the intent of this verse.  Why did Jesus say these words?  His main point was wanting to expand the scope of His disciples’ asking (“whatever you wish”) rather than limit it.  He was not saying these words out of a fear that His disciples would take Him for granted.  He wanted them to be bold in asking.  

Though He was not presenting Himself as a genie, this was still the Jesus with the servant heart who asked the blind man, “What do you want me to do for you?” (v. 51). When the blind man says he wants to see, Jesus does for him what he wishes because it ends up being to his Father’s glory; this was the fruitfulness His Father desired of Him.

In trying so hard not to misapply this verse (John 15:7) out of a fear of wrong motives, we can lose the sense of empowerment that it was meant to give.  Are we trying to obey God’s commands?  Love God and love people?  Then we can ask whatever we wish.  We do not presume that the answer to our prayers will always be a “yes,” but let’s be bold in asking!

Prayer:  God, as I look at the world around me today, there is so much that I wish for.  I wish people could see You for who You really are.  I wish they would be healed and set free.  I wish for wisdom and love to speak Your words of life into their hearts.  Hear my prayer.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 22

Lunch Break Study 

Read 1 Kings 3:3-12:Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 6 Solomon answered . . . 8 “Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.  9 So give your servant a discerning a heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.  For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him . . . 12 ”I will do what you have asked.  I will give you a wise and discerning heart . . .”

James 1:5: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 

Questions to Consider

1. When Solomon offered sacrifices at Gibeon, was he walking according to the statues of his father David (vv. 3-4)?  

2. How does God respond (vv. 5, 12)?

3. Considering the two observations above: what principle can we draw from this passage?  How does this passage teach me to approach God?

Notes

1. No, which meant that he was not worshipping God in the way that God had prescribed.  He was not exactly in the center of God’s will.

2. He still meets Solomon and grants his request. It wasn’t that it didn’t matter that Solomon was not worshipping God where he was supposed to, or the Bible would not have mentioned it (v. 3).  But there was this grace.

3.   God responds to us, even when we don’t get everything exactly right.  It does not mean we can have a casual attitude toward obeying His commands, but there is this grace; and He gives us credit for what we do get right.  We can approach God trusting and believing in His grace.

Evening Reflection

What happened today when I asked God for whatever I wished?  Whether He immediately granted my request today or not, how did my obeying His command to ask Him freely impact my relationship with Him today?

September 15, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Jabez Yeo, now a friend of AMI, was first posted on May 21, 2015.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Pounding the Rock”

Luke 5:1-11

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret; the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this; he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Jacob Riss was a famous 19th century social reformer who was known for using photography to highlight the living conditions of the poor. Although Riss fought valiantly for a noble cause, he faced much opposition throughout his life. During a particularly hard time, Riss explained how he was able to persevere: “When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock a hundred times without as much as a crack showing. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”

Like Riss, we too will face dry seasons in our lives. What’s even harder to accept is that living in accordance with God’s will does not necessarily exempt us from these hard times. Perhaps you have been actively looking for employment or have diligently studied for your exams but have not achieved success. Or maybe you are faithfully sharing the Gospel and ministering to others but do not witness any spiritual fruit. Like Peter, we may feel as if we have let down our nets all night but have no catch to show for our hard work (v.5).

Despite our setbacks, Christ’s call for us remains the same: to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). For many of us, that call might mean to continue persevering in our current situation. What will our response be? Will we obey like Peter and let down our nets one more time? Will we do so despite the hardships and merely because Christ has told us to?

As this passage shows, obedience to God will eventually bring privilege greater that we can ever imagine. Yes, Peter received the biggest catch of his life (v.6). But more importantly, he saw the power of God at work, realized his own inadequacy (v.8) and received the greatest call—to become a fisher of men (v.10). Thus, let’s continue to strive for daily obedience; we never know how God will use us as a result.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know my desire to honor You with my life, You know the struggles I face while trying to obey You in all that I do. Help me each day to deny myself, take up my cross and follow You. Give me the strength to persevere and to let down the nets again when You say so. In Your Name I pray, Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 21

Lunch Break Study

Read Gal 6:9-10 (NIV): Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Heb. 6:10: God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Prov. 24:16: For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Questions to Consider

1. Whether it be what we try to do in ministry, at work or with our wayward family members, what causes us to become weary to the point of quitting or no longer trying?

2. What is God’s admonition to us when we find ourselves in such predicament?  What is its basis?

3. What situation has brought you down?  Maybe this isn’t the first time.  Write about it and then ask the Lord to give you the strength to overcome and then grow from it.

Notes

1. We become weary for these reasons: first, we don’t see the “harvest” (i.e., result); and second, we feel as if God has forgotten about us.  Of course, all this is compounded by ungrateful and unresponsive people who take you for granted. 

2. In short, God wants us to continue, that is, rise again.  Its basis is rooted in His promise made to us: first, the Lord ensures us that there will be a harvest, and second, He hasn’t forgotten about us—in fact, He will remember all that we have done in His name.  

3. When we fall, we try to get up too soon as if we don’t want others to see us struggle.  Are you down?  Stay down.  Allow others to come to heal and minister to you.  Stay down long enough to be refreshed and properly restored before you get up (e.g., serve again in the church, take on new projects, etc.).

Evening Reflection

Probably more things happen each day that makes us feel discouraged than encouraged.  What happened today that made you feel like, “I give up.”  Take that to the Lord and ask Him to give you the motivation and encouragement not to become weary in doing good.  Reflect.  Meditate.  Pray. 

September 14, Wednesday

 REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on September 19, 2016.  A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the Lead Pastor of the UC site of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Threat to Our Faith”

John 16:1-4

I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

What would cause you to fall away from the faith? That may seem like an unanswerable question to many of you, but sometimes it is good for us to ask ourselves that. Are there holes in your faith? Blind spots you’ve been ignoring? Any lack of trust? Do I really trust Jesus with my entire life?

For the early church, the threat of persecution and even death were common reasons for people to fall away from the faith. Maybe those are not real threats in our lives today, but there are other threats bombarding us day after day – the media, culture, and maybe even family – things that could be opposed to God and pull us away from Him. It’s hard to go through a single day without being reminded that this world is in many ways opposed to God.

How do we stand up against such hostility in this world? Well, this passage has the answer for us! Jesus says, “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.” The Word of God! We can withstand the pressures and hostility of the world by guarding our hearts in God’s Word. In His Word, we see promise after promise of His faithfulness to us, a faithfulness that is impenetrable by this world. Today, let’s feast our hearts on God’s Word, on His promises of love and faithfulness towards us, so that when we do face hostility, those threats will seem nothing in comparison to God’s great love for us.

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in Your promises. This world often distracts me, causing me to turn my eyes from You, but help me to keep my eyes fixed on You this day, knowing that You are always faithful to me, so that I may withstand the hostility of the world. Give me strength this day to keep fighting the good fight of faith.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 20

Lunch Break Study  

Read Isaiah 43:1-3a: But now thus says the Lord,he who created you, O Jacob,he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Questions to Consider

  1. Why does God say we should not fear?
  2. Where and when will God be with us?
  3. How can we face the trials of this life?

Notes

  1. In this passage, God tells His people to not fear because He has redeemed us; and more than that, He has called us by name, and He has called us His own. We belong to God, and since as, this passage says, He is our creator, we know that He can protect us.
  2. If we belong to God, He is always with us – anytime and anywhere. This passage highlights that when go through trials – through water, rivers, fire, or flame – He will be with us. There is a special way in which trials help us to know God’s sweet and enduring presence in our lives, even though His presence is always with us regardless of whether we are in a season of trial or not.
  3. The Lord, the Holy One, is our Savior. Reflect on that a bit. If the Lord of everything is with us, then there is no trial that can ever be too difficult for us. So how do we face trials in this life? We remember God’s promise that He is always with us, through it all!

Evening Reflection

Tonight, reflect on God’s promise that He is always with you. Perhaps you are going through some trial or difficult season; give space for God to speak to you and remind you that He is with you, and He will see you through this trial.